soonboomer

You're right, he was absolutely the worst player on the ice for the wings.

Dallas Drake was a hockey player, not an unskilled thug.

Reading is such a tough skill.

It's common knowledge that we won the cup in 2008 because we had so many more "enforcers" than we had this year. Man could those guys fight.

Great idea....while we're at it maybe we can dump everyone except Z since Talbot outscored everyone else on the Wings too.

Really.....now we can afford several no talent North American thugs who can protect our Euro-***** skill players and really contribute to a successful run in the 2010 playoffs

This team lacks nothing. Lest you forget, they've been the most successful team in the league in recent memory (go back as many years as you choose) and were a physically beat up team in the playoffs. I don't recall the injuries to Lidstrom, Datsyuk and Rafalski being the type that could have been avoided if they had a "big physical defenseman". I'm not taking anything away from the Penguins, but this "soft" Wings team was the favorite in Las Vegas to win the 2009 cup ( a huge favorite at -240 to win game 7) . Didn't happen, but a good argument could be made that they were still the best team. Even as we speak, the Redwings at 6 to 1 are again the favorite to win the 2010 cup. People like you are blowing this situation way out of hand.

Great strategy by Holland. Wait until February when better deals can be had. This team, under any circumstances, isn't in danger of not making the playoffs. Teams will get desperate in February and at that time management brass will know what needs improvement. Either way, as long as they have the best team on the ice that they can in April, that's all that matters. Anaheim showed this year (just as Calgary, Edmonton and Anaheim a 2nd time in previous recent memory) that even a 7 or 8 seed can get to the promised land. Foolishness now will cause magnified damage down the road. Keep the faith.

Can't argue with you about the contract situation with the Canes, but I'd have to think this was far from a unique negotiation technique between player and team to get the best deal possible. I'll stand by my original statements in that anyone saying that Feds had NO HEART the whole time he was a Wing is sheer lunacy, just as it is likewise to deny that he is one of the greatest and most talented players to ever wear the red and white. BTW, that might be the first 80's hair band quote I've ever seen on this forum. Nice touch.

Don't you understand that everyone should want to take a discount to play in Detroit? Just imagine if the shoe were on the other foot, and that a player left Anaheim to take a lesser deal to play for the Wings. I wonder if the same people on this forum who call Feds greedy and difficult would be singing the same tune. Somehow, I doubt it.

Great time for a typo, but anybody other than the kid who rides the short bus could tell that I meant ONE OF THE BEST.........and if you dont think that Feds, arguably the finest Russian player to ever grace the NHL (based on career numbers to this point), is one of the greatest Wings ever, then you're the one in sad need of education. Really, is taking a typo and turning a statement out of context the best you can do?

What's the difference? If you look at Fed's stats, he never had what you would call a horrible playoff season. Even as was referenced earlier (the 1994 playoffs), he scored 8 pts in 7 games. I think a lot of the knock on Feds was that he was so smooth and effortless that when things went bad he appeared to be coasting. But, because heart is a subjective measurement, I guess we'll just agee to disagree.

Really?..........And the other 99% of society doesn't have a much longer timespan to earn maximum income either, right? If you knew anything about business you'd know that thousands of employees in white collar jobs have employment contracts, just as athletes do, and I've yet to meet one who would "take a discount" to work at their company if they could make more $$ (not a discount mind you, just the industry standard) at a similar position elsewhere in their industry. Perhaps you're one of those guys who think there should be a cap on what people should be able to earn? It's called capitalism, and like it or not, it applies to sports just as it does to the rest of society. I've followed the Wings since Danny Gare was their captain, so you lecturing me on their history makes you look the fool..........just as you questioning the heart of of of the greatest players ever to wear the Winged Wheel does.

Your original statement was "an aging superstar who at one time had all the talent in the world, but no heart, work ethic or reliability".........I just assumed that the "at one time" you referred to was while he was a Wing. But now you say he was great when he was here, so, which is it? As for him leaving Washington to go to Russia for more $$, who can blame him for that? I'm sure you, and most other people, would turn down a higher paying job while getting to return "home" to work at a discount at your current job, right? No one has said that Feds is what he once was.......that was never part of the discussion..........but to question anybody for wanting more money or a change of scenery seems unfair. Athletes have a limited window for generating revenue........I say get all you can while you can.

As Feds was a little over a point a game guy in the playoffs for his career with Detroit, we might could have used a few more heartless players like him in the SCF this year.

Sure, it's common knowledge that winning a Hart trophy takes no heart or effort. To say that Feds had NO HEART is about as stupid a statement as one could make. Maybe he didn't meet your standards, but then again, who are you?

Yea, the guy never gave any effort the whole time he was here..........what a moronic post.

Where exactly do you find these "fighters" who aren't such complete hacks that they can contribute anything else to the team? Especially in the same price range as Kopy? Fact is, the consensus on this forum has been that the missing ingredient this season was a Dallas Drake type player who would provide the toughness the wings had last season. But, didn't Dallas get in all of maybe 5 fights in the 07-08 season? Hardly the enforcer alot on here speak of. Perhaps you supporters of the 4th line overhaul should come to grips with the fact that it was injuries and fatigue.....greatly caused by the compacted playoff schedule......that was the reason they lost to the Pens.......and not the fact that they, as the tired and worn out excuse has been so frequently stated.....weren't tough enough. I'm betting that Holland sticks with what has worked.....4th line guys who are sound defensively and good on the PK....and I'm completely happy with that.

Is there a bigger bargain in the league than Ozzie at $1.45 million?

Quite amazing that this thread has had such a shelf life. The Pens have a snowball's chance in hell of emulating the run of the Oilers of the 80's. Case closed.

If more people felt like you, the Hossa lynch mob wouldn't exist.

I say there will be no significant free agent pick-ups this summer......Holland will try to lowball the Hossa deal, if that works (probably not), then Sammy and Hudler won't be back.....may try to get Holmstrom and/or Maltby to retire and bring up the Grand Rapids guys to fill the slots as needed......if no Hossa, then the line-up will change even less......Holland will probably wait until the trade deadline early next year to fill any pending needs. I predict an uneventfull next couple of weeks for the Wings (which is fine by me because, when healthy, Detroit is still the team to beat). All you guys calling for the annual "we need more grit" will probably be disappointed.

You answered the question with your question. Whoever is playing the Ducks or the Pens.

It's more likely that the Pens won't make the SCF in any one of the next three years than it is for them to win 3 more consecutive cups..........by a mile!!

Isn't Hudler listed at 5'9" and about 175? At this size, he's naturally weak on the puck and, unfortunately, that's only exaggerated come playoff time. That, and the RFA compensation, makes his expendability the best "business decision" for the team.